Multi-media user terminal for a presentation medium

Abstract

Mass electronic-commerce (e-commerce) user terminal is disclosed, which enables mass television (TV) viewers to participate in e-commerce using new and existing business infrastructures. The multi-media user terminal makes a direct, real-time, instantaneous connection between products featured in TV commercials/programs (or other event such as a movie in a theater) and the existing web-based business infrastructure directly through the multi-media user terminal device. The multi-media user terminal provides real-time two-way communication with the TV viewers and the business entities. The device will also provide the TV viewing information for TV rating on real-time basis.

1 . An apparatus for use in presentation environments, the apparatus comprising: 
 a provider interface configured to couple a signal from an information provider, the signal associated with a placement, the placement particular to a presentation; and    a user interface configured display data corresponding to the placement and configured to receive input for selection of information in the displayed data.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a communications interface configured to transmit data corresponding to the selection to a third party.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the third party comprises one from a group consisting of a manufacturer, a distributor, or a retailer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the third party comprises the information provider.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a touch sensitive screen.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface and a selection mechanism.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) from the information provider.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the user interface is further configured to display a web page associated with the URL in response to the selection.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the placement comprises an advertisement.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the data comprises advertising synchronized with the advertisement.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control device housing.  
   
   
       13 . A method of interacting with a presentation medium, the method comprising: 
 activating the presentation medium;    establishing a communication link with an information provider in response to the presentation medium being active;    receiving advertising information from the information provider, the advertising information synchronized with a program from the presentation medium; and    displaying the advertising information from the information provider.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving selection input from a user, the selection input corresponding to the advertising information.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the advertising information comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising preventing user input unrelated to the URL.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the presentation medium comprises a television broadcast.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the program comprises one from a group consisting of a television program and a television advertisement.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the presentation medium comprises a radio broadcast.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the program comprises a movie theater advertisement.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the program comprises a sporting event.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the program comprises vendor advertising at a predetermined time interval relative to the sporting event.  
   
   
       23 . A handheld device configured for operation with a presentation medium, the apparatus comprising: 
 a user interface module configured to 
 display, on a screen of the handheld device, advertising information, and  
 receive, from a user of the handheld device, input data associated with the advertising information; and  
   a communication module configured to 
 receive, from an information provider, the advertising information, the advertising information synchronized with programming played through the presentation medium, and  
 transmit, to a host computing system, user data associated with the advertising information.  
   
   
   
       24 . The handheld device of  claim 23 , wherein the user interface module comprises a touch sensitive screen.  
   
   
       25 . The handheld device of  claim 23 , wherein the presentation medium comprises a television.  
   
   
       26 . The handheld device of  claim 25 , wherein the programming comprises one from a group consisting of a television program and a television advertisement.  
   
   
       27 . The handheld device of  claim 23 , wherein the presentation medium comprises a movie theater.  
   
   
       28 . The handheld device of  claim 27 , wherein the presentation medium comprises a sporting event.